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by Donald Burns
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- Jan 30, 202657 min
Episode 181 – Leadership Is a System with Jarred Patterson
Leadership Is a System With Jarred Patterson, COO — New South Restaurant Group Most restaurant owners think leadership is a personality trait. Something you’re born with.Something you either “have” or you don’t. That belief is exactly why so many restaurants stay stuck. In Episode 181 of The Restaurant Coach Podcast, I sit down with Jarred Patterson, COO of New South Restaurant Group, to break that myth wide open. Because leadership isn’t luck.It isn’t charisma.And it definitely isn’t title-based. Leadership is a system. And when that system is built correctly, it changes everything. From General Manager to COO — Built, Not Promoted Jarred didn’t come into New South Restaurant Group as an executive. He started as a General Manager at one location. What changed wasn’t opportunity.What changed was identity, structure, and execution. Through the implementation of the TRC Method, Jarred didn’t just “move up.”He grew into the role of enterprise leader. This episode walks through how: Leadership standards were clarified and enforced Culture stopped being a slogan and became a daily operating system Accountability replaced chaos Managers were developed instead of babysat And how that shift produced the most profitable year in company history Not by working harder.But by building leaders who could think, decide, and execute without constant oversight. Culture Isn’t a Vibe — It’s a Framework One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: Culture doesn’t improve because you talk about it.It improves because you design it. Jarred shares how New South moved away from reactive management and into intentional leadership development, where: Expectations were clear Standards were non-negotiable Leaders were trained to lead people, not just run shifts And results were tracked, reviewed, and reinforced When leadership became systemized, culture followed.When culture aligned, profit
- Jan 13, 202658 min
Episode 180 – Why Systems Beat Passion Every Time with Nick Mattia
In Episode 180 of The Restaurant Coach Podcast, I sit down with Nick Mattia, the founder and owner of Ready Strong Meals, for a raw, honest conversation about what really happens when ambition meets reality in the restaurant and food business. Nick didn’t come into the industry clueless.He came in with knowledge, confidence, and a clear vision. And that’s exactly what almost broke him. When “Knowing Enough” Becomes Dangerous Like many driven operators, Nick believed that having some experience and surface-level understanding of how the industry works would be enough to win.Instead, it nearly cost him everything. What Nick learned the hard way—and shares openly in this episode—is that the wrong knowledge, applied without structure, systems, and accountability, is more dangerous than no knowledge at all. Good intentions don’t fix broken systems.Hard work doesn’t replace clarity.And passion doesn’t protect you from bad decisions. The Turning Point Nick reached a moment every serious operator eventually faces: Keep grinding blindly…Or step back and rebuild the business the right way. That’s when he committed to the TRC Method. Not for motivation.Not for hype.But for frameworks. How the TRC Method Changed Everything In this episode, Nick breaks down how applying structured frameworks—rather than chasing tactics—allowed him to: Identify where his business was actually leaking money Replace emotional decision-making with disciplined systems Build operational clarity instead of constant firefighting Shift from “owner-operator chaos” to intentional leadership Turn Ready Strong Meals from survival mode into a controllable, scalable operation This wasn’t a quick fix.It was a rebuild of thinking, process, and execution. Why Systems Beat Passion Every Time This conversation is exactly what The TRC Method is about. Two operators telling the truth.No ego.No shortcuts.Just lessons forged through pressure. Nick’s story is proof that transformation doesn’t come from learning more—it comes from learning what actually matters, then having the discipline to implement it. Who This Episode Is For If you’re a restaurant owner, meal prep operator, or food entrepreneur who: <p data-start="2513" data
- Dec 31, 202543 min
Episode 179 – From Surviving to Thriving with Madison Bree
What happens when you refuse to let a good restaurant quietly die? In this episode of The Restaurant Coach Podcast, Donald Burns sits down with Madison Bree, a first-time restaurant owner who took a massive leap of faith by buying an existing restaurant in Michigan that still had a name… but was slowly bleeding out. The restaurant was Kathy’s 126.The reputation was there.The energy, systems, and vision were not. Instead of trying to “save” a dying brand, Bree made the bold decision to rebuild it from the inside out. She rebranded the concept into Madison’s on Main, reopened with clarity, structure, and standards—and the results speak for themselves. The restaurant has taken off since reopening, proving that survival is optional when leadership finally steps up. In this conversation, Bree shares: What it’s really like buying an existing restaurant with baggage Why rebranding was non-negotiable for growth The mindset shifts required to move from operator to owner How working with a coach fast-tracked her progress and eliminated years of painful trial and error How the TRC Method helped her build structure, confidence, and momentum instead of chaos This episode is a must-listen for: Aspiring restaurant owners thinking about buying an existing concept Owners stuck “keeping it alive” instead of building something that thrives Anyone who wants proof that coaching isn’t a cost—it’s a shortcut Bree’s story is a reminder that thriving isn’t about luck.It’s about standards, leadership, and having the right guide in your corner. If you’re tired of surviving and ready to build a restaurant that actually works for you—this episode will hit home. If you want to see these kinds of results in your own restaurant, book a TRC Method Strategy Call (for FREE) with me personally at www.GrowMyRestaurantNOW.com
- Dec 19, 202555 min
Episode 178 – Chef Neo vs. The Matrix (with Craig Shelton)
What happens when a James Beard Award–winning chef looks around the modern food industry and realizes the system was never built to serve craft, soul, or truth? This episode is a WAKE-UP CALL. In Chef Neo vs. The Matrix, I sit down with legendary Chef Craig Shelton for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what mass production, scale-at-all-costs, and corporate commercialization have done to the heart of the culinary world. This isn’t nostalgia.This isn’t complaining.This is a line in the sand. Craig takes us deep into the moment many chefs silently experience—when the love of food collides with the pressure to standardize, cut corners, chase volume, and surrender creativity for efficiency and margins. If you’ve ever felt like: You’re producing food but losing your identity Your restaurant runs, but your soul is suffocating You didn’t become a chef to serve a system that feels hollow and transactional The industry promised freedom… and delivered a golden cage This episode is for you. We talk about: The Matrix of mass production and how chefs get trapped inside it Why commercialization quietly erodes creativity and purpose The difference between scaling food and scaling meaning What it really means to take the red pill as a chef How to reclaim craftsmanship, leadership, and freedom without selling your soul This conversation isn’t comfortable—and it’s not supposed to be. If you’ve felt that quiet inner voice whispering, “There has to be another way,” consider this your signal. It’s time for chefs to stop playing a role in someone else’s system.It’s time to wake up.It’s time to be free of the Matrix. Press play. Take the red pill. And decide who you’re really cooking for. If you want to see what the TRC Method can do for your and your restaurant, book a TRC Method Strategy Call (for FREE) with me personally at www.GrowMyRestaurantNOW.com About DB Donald Burns is a best-selling author, high-performance restaurant strategist, and founder of <s
- Dec 4, 202531 min
Episode 177 – From Firefighter Mode to Success Mode with Megan Coignard
In this episode of The Restaurant Coach Podcast, I sit down with Megan Coignard, owner of Nicolo’s Pizza in Lakewood, Colorado—an independent restaurant operator who was once drowning in chaos, burnout, and the never-ending cycle every owner knows too well: firefighter mode. Two years ago, Megan picked up the phone because she had hit a wall. No more ideas. No more bandwidth. No more margin for error. Her restaurant was slipping away, and she knew doing more of the same wasn’t going to save it. What happened next is why this episode matters. Megan made a decision most restaurant owners never make:She stopped trying to survive… and committed to learning how to win. By diving into The TRC Method, Megan rebuilt her restaurant from the inside out. She fixed her systems. She tightened her standards. She reclaimed her culture. She took control of her numbers. She transformed from an exhausted operator into a focused, confident, high-performance restaurateur. Today, Nicolo’s isn’t just stable—it’s thriving.Bigger sales. Better team. Stronger brand. Clear direction.And Megan is no longer the firefighter running into burning rooms. She’s the leader building a restaurant that lasts. In this episode, you’ll hear: • What pushed Megan to finally ask for help• The exact TRC Methodtools she used to create fast, measurable change• How she broke the cycle of panic, overwhelm, and reactivity• What every independent restaurant owner must understand about culture, leadership, and standards• Why waiting for “the right time” is the most expensive decision you can make If you’ve ever felt like your restaurant owns you, Megan’s story will show you what’s possible when you stop fighting fires… and start building a future. Listen now—and discover how one courageous owner turned a struggling pizzeria into a powerful, profitable brand using a proven system that works every single time it’s applied. If you want to see these kinds of results in your own restaurant, book a TRC Method Strategy Call (for FREE) with me personally at www.GrowMyRestaurantNOW.com
- Sep 11, 202544 min
Episode 176 – From Bleeding Cash to Banking Profit with Matt & Stephanie Dunken
In this episode of The Restaurant Coach® Podcast, I sit down with Matt & Stephanie Dunken, the powerhouse duo behind Slam Dunk Pizza. Their story is one every independent restaurant owner needs to hear. When they started working with the TRC Method, they were drowning with a prime cost of 94%. Profit was non-existent, stress was constant, and vacations were nothing more than wishful thinking. Fast forward to today, and they’ve slashed their prime cost down to 53%—a complete game changer for their business. Even better, they’ve gone from seven years without a single vacation to enjoying 4–5 vacations every year. This episode is proof that you don’t need to be stuck in the grind forever. With the right frameworks, discipline, and focus, you can take control of your numbers, reclaim your freedom, and finally build the restaurant and life you deserve. If you want to see these kinds of results in your own restaurant, book a Profit Recovery Session with me personally at www.TheRestaurantCoach.com
- Aug 20, 20251h 16m
Episode 175 – Passion Drives Profits with Mark & Ruth Mills of The Plough
Restaurants are rarely just about food. The ones that rise above the noise—the ones that dominate their markets—understand that culture drives everything. That’s the story behind The Plough @ Myrniong in Australia, led by Mark and Ruth Mills. In this episode of The Restaurant Coach Podcast, we uncover what happens when passion is channeled into purpose, when culture becomes the compass, and when the right coaching framework turns chaos into clarity. Why Culture Changes Everything Mark and Ruth didn’t just want to run a restaurant; they wanted to create an experience that guests would never forget. But passion alone isn’t enough. Like so many owners, they found themselves caught in the grind—working harder and harder but not necessarily moving forward. The turning point came when they realized culture wasn’t a side project—it was the foundation. From the way their team showed up each day to how guests were treated at every table, culture became the driver of consistency, energy, and connection. As they’ll tell you, when culture shifts, everything else follows. The Power of Getting a Coach One of the biggest lessons from Mark and Ruth’s journey is the decision to invest in coaching. Too many owners think they can figure it all out themselves, but the truth is, nobody wins alone. Getting a coach wasn’t about having someone tell them what to do—it was about having someone challenge their thinking, hold them accountable, and provide the proven tools that cut years of trial and error. That decision didn’t just improve their restaurant…it transformed it. From Competing to Dominating Before adopting the TRC Method, The Plough was like many independent restaurants: working hard to stay afloat, constantly looking over their shoulder at the competition. After implementing the systems, strategies, and mindset shifts of The TRC Method, they no longer saw themselves in competition. They created clarity, built a culture that people wanted to be part of, and crafted a guest experience that was undeniable. Today, The Plough doesn’t compete. They dominate. Lessons for Every Restaurant Owner What Mark and Ruth’s story shows is simple but profound: Passion is fuel, but culture is the engine. Without coaching, you’ll waste years trying to reinvent the wheel. When you stop copying others and start building systems unique to your vision, you move from survival to market domination. This isn’t just about one restaurant in Australia—it’s about what’s possible for every independent owner who refuses to settle for mediocrity. Final Thoughts Episode 175 is more than a conversation—it’s a wake-up call. If you’re still stuck competing on price, chasing trends, or living in reaction mode, you’re playing the wrong game. The Plough shows us that with passion, culture, and the right coaching system, you can build a restaurant that doesn’t just survive the market…it OWNS it. BOOK A 1:1 STRATEGY SESSION WITH ME HERE!
- Jul 10, 202554 min
Episode 174: From Cringe Posts to Killer Growth with Bruce Irving
Most restaurant owners think they’re doing “marketing.”But what they’re actually doing is noise. In this raw and real conversation with Bruce Irving—founder of Smart Pizza Marketing and one of the most respected voices in restaurant marketing—we pull back the curtain on what’s really holding restaurant owners back. We talk about the outdated tactics that make you look desperate, the cringe-worthy content that’s pushing guests away, and the simple moves that actually create momentum and drive growth. This isn’t another fluffy conversation about social media trends or the next shiny tool.This is a masterclass in clarity. You’ll learn: What Bruce would do if dropped into a failing pizzeria with only $1,000 and one week to save it The most common marketing mistakes that make restaurants look like amateurs How to create a brand story people actually care about—and want to follow The difference between visibility and relevance (and why most restaurant owners get this wrong) The mindset shifts required to play the long game in an industry addicted to shortcuts And just to keep it interesting—we also dive into some fun curveballs:What’s Bruce’s spirit animal?What’s the weirdest DM he’s ever received from a restaurant owner?What advice would he give his younger self starting Smart Pizza Marketing? This episode is full of real talk, bold insights, and practical wisdom from someone who’s not theorizing from the sidelines—he’s been in the game for decades, helping restaurants build brands that last. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or just stuck trying to figure out what actually works…This is your wake-up call. Listen to Episode 174 now.And start moving from cringe posts to killer growth. Want to see if coaching is right for you and your restaurant? Apply for a 1:1 Profit Recovery Call with my team.
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About The Restaurant Coach Podcast
Get cutting edge tools, techniques, tips and straight talk from the world’s leading restaurant coach. Donald Burns is know for unique programs and methods that create dramatic results for his clients. When restaurant owners or chefs need change and success they call The Restaurant Coach. Are you ready to take your business and life to the next level?
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